Hazel's POV
"No, I want that one," Hazel said with her puppy eyes, gesturing at the tacos in the food box set aside on the table.
She has been stuck on that particular desert since the day she tasted it. She could swear it banged more than her favorite expensive meals. She had always disregarded it but after having a bite of it, courtesy of Ethan, she realized that she had been sleeping on it.
"Tacos could grow on your head, you know?" Ethan teased.
"I do not care," Hazel bantered, rolling her eyes at him playfully.
"Hmmmm, It tastes soooo good," Hazel mused, savoring every bite of the homemade tacos Ethan had prepared for dessert.
"You're welcome," Ethan replied, chuckling.
She was struggling to manage everything in her mouth when she caught someone sneakily watching her. She turned to get a clear view of the person, and it happened to be him.
"Holy sht," she cussed, almost choking.
Ethan rushed over to his enclave which was situated in one corner of the mini shop. The corner had a comfortable chair where he often sat with sketchbooks and brushes arranged. A small, stylish coffee table occupied the space, but lately, it held a glass of water instead. He had run out of coffee and had not made enough sales to restock.
He grabbed a cup and poured water from the small dispenser into it. He hurried over to Hazel and, with a gentle tone, offered, "Have some water," as he handed her the cup.
Without hesitation, she accepted it.
"Thank you. I'll be right back," She said, eagerly drinking it down to recover quickly as she headed towards the exit.
Ethan looked confused but still managed to continue with his painting.
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Hazel carefully trailed him to the parking lot where she finally caught up with him. Even after so many years, he still appeared the same. He had a deceptive, manipulative, persistent aura that was very much pronounced. One who has inner eyes would definitely know that he was ruthlessly evil. His blue eyes color was captivating and his black hair was neatly groomed and it complimented his cute face making him handsome but with a conniving demeanor.
She gulped down her saliva, pulling herself out from admiring him.
"What are you doing here?" She queried, terrified
"Did you think you could escape me?!" He queried, raising his voice.
"Shhhh. Keep your voice down," she pleaded, her eyes scanning the premises making sure that Ethan was nowhere around them.
She breathed in and out heavily and continued, "Damon, I'm begging you, please let me go,"
"What do you think you're doing with Ethan, a mere painter?" he countered, his eyes narrowing as he confronted Hazel's pleading gaze.
"What?" she replied, totally astonished by how he got to know about him. "Damon, I swear I love where I am at the moment. Please don't ruin it," she pleaded, exasperation in her voice, almost getting on her knees.
He scoffed, totally amused by her reactions.
"Hazel, you're mine and mine alone. Don't you get it? If I can't have you back then no one will have you," He said with possessiveness and desperation.
"Damon, please. Just let me go," she whimpered
He grabbed Hazel's hand, "Look, Hazel, I've realized my mistakes and I've come to make it up to you. Please, forgive me. I didn't mean to cause you pain, I just stupidly thought that you were like other women who only wanted my money and power. I never knew your feelings for me were genuine. I messed up and I've come to fix it. I'm sorry and I miss you," he pleaded
Hazel loosened his grip on her hand, taking a few steps backward, she couldn't believe her ears. Damon Miller of the notorious mafia group was pleading that she forgive him and accept him back. After treating her like garbage? Never, she thought.
Hazel shuddered, and her heart began thumping in her chest, as Jermaine crossed her mind. She hated the feeling. She wished there was something she could do to wipe her history with Damon. If there was something she wouldn't want Damon to know, it'd be that she has his baby.
Suddenly, she became furious. She had to stand her ground. She needed to talk to him and have him swear never to come close to her anymore.
"Damon, the next time I find you anywhere close to me, you would not like what your fate would be. Also, I'm filing a restraining order against you!" She spoke in between her teeth.
Damon chuckled, "Bravo. Nice one, Hazel," he said mockingly, clapping hands.
"I dare you, Hazel. I dare you. Get a restraining order against me and watch me ruin your life and that of Ethan's!" He thundered, his words making her jolt. He had hit a nerve and she couldn't hide her feelings.
In a fit of anger and exhaustion, Hazel spun on her legs, her gaze intent on walking away from Damon. But he, driven by desperation, clutched her wrist firmly, halting her in her tracks. With a forceful yank, he turned her body back towards him.
Immediately, she regained her composure, her face hardening with resolve. She pulled away from Damon's grip, creating a deliberate distance between them which triggered his anger the more.
He enclosed the distance between them, his hand on her neck choking her, "Don't you dare walk away from me," he sneered.
She whimpered, nodding her head in approval as she was gently tapping his hand, gesturing to him to let go.
"You're mine alone! You have only 48 hours to return to me!" He yelled, letting go of his hand on her neck.
Hazel fell on the floor, breathing heavily while crying profusely.
Damon, the devil had found his way back into her life to haunt her but how did she find her?
She noticed Ethan walking around the premises, his eyes scrutinizing the area trying to find her.
As Ethan was about to look in their direction, a woman in a pink jumpsuit with dark brown hair and black heels appeared from nowhere, diverting his attention.